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Message Board > Chester and Mervin Graham

Chester and Mervin Graham
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.

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barb95831 41 posts Nov 26, 2015 9:07 AM	I'm looking for the obits or other information about Chester Graham (1912-1947) and Mervin Graham (1915-1934)both men where from Whiteside County and were buried in Tampico. Thanks Barb Chandler
Denise 1064 posts Nov 30, 2015 1:44 PM	Hi Barb, I'll check the Tampico Tornado newspaper for their obits.
Denise 1065 posts Dec 03, 2015 2:02 PM	Hi Barb, Sorry it took me so long. TAMPICO TORNADO Thursday, February 13, 1947, 1;3 CHESTER E. GRAHAM LAID AT REST Funeral services for Chester E Graham were held in the Baptist church Sunday afternoon at two o’clock following a short prayer service at the Parent chapel. Rev. Vernon Gibb, pastor of the church of which Chester was a member, delivered a message of comfort using Job 1:21, “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away” for his text. Two favorite hymns, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Asleep in Jesus” were sung by Mrs. Maynard Peterson and Mrs. Theodore Beyer accompanied by Mrs. Glenn Carlson. Burial was in the Tampico Memorial cemetery with Leverne and John Foy of Walnut, George Thompson and Jack Garland of Nachusa, Asael Tonkinson and Raymond Foy serving as pallbearers. Mr. Graham passed away at 7:30 P.M. Thursday, February 6, at the Home hospital in Sterling where he was taken that afternoon. He had been ill since Monday. Among those from out of town who attended the services were Mrs. Esther Buchanan of Dixon; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Wrangler, John and Leverne Foy of Walnut; Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Garland and daughter of Nachusa; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thompson of Rochelle; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Renner and Harry Dean of Rock Island; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hines of Rock Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Sanders of Clinton, Iowa. Chester Emmons Graham was born in Tampico, Ill. On August 22, 1912 and lived here all of his life with the exception of 12 years which were spent in Iowa, eight of these years being lived in Danbury, Iowa. He was a member of the Baptist church, having joined early in childhood, and attended school in Danbury and Tampico. He was employed at the Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. in Sterling. He leaves to mourn his passing his mother, Mrs. Myrtle Young; a brother, Darrell; a nephew, Charles Eugene; two aunts, Mrs. Claude Love and Mrs. Homer Burns, all of Tampico; one aunt, Mrs. Esther Buchanan of Dixon. Also, many cousins and friends of Tampico and friends at Danbury, Iowa. His father, Howard D. Graham, passed away March 17, 1923 and one brother Mervyn, on August 12, 1934. TAMPICO TORNADO Thursday, August 16, 1934, 1;1 PASSED AWAY AFTER OPERATION – MERVYN GRAHAM DIED SUNDAY IN HOSPITAL AT IRONWOOD MICHIGAN The community was shocked and grieved to hear of the death Sunday of Mervyn Graham at the Grand View hospital in Ironwood, Mich. Mervyn had been a member of the CCC, stationed at Marenisco, Mich., for about three months and had liked the work real well. He had gained in weight and had been feeling fine until he was taken ill with an attack of appendicitis Wednesday morning and was taken to the hospital at Ironwood. His people were notified and immediately wired permission to operate the operation, which was thought to be successful, was performed. Thursday evening and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Young and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Love left Friday morning to be with him. He seemed to be improving when he died suddenly at 1:45 Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Young and Mr. and Mrs. Love returned home Monday. The body arrived in Sterling Tuesday afternoon and was taken to the home of his mother where a short service was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 followed by a service at the Baptist church at 2:30. Rev. Alan Douglas, pastor of the Baptist church had charge of the service and gave a very comforting message using as his text Job 1:2. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” During the service the male quartette, composed of Raymond Stevens, Frank Gerber, Ralph Carlson and Rev. Alan Douglas sang three numbers which Mervyn had sung with the quartette, “When You Know Jesus, Too,” “That Beautiful Land,” and “Wandering Child, O Come Home.” Mrs. R. F. Woods accompanied on the piano. There was a large number of relatives and friends who attended the services of this young man who through his genial disposition had made many friends. The flowers were many and beautiful. Burial was in the Tampico Memorial cemetery by the side of his father. Those who acted as pallbearers were: Vernon Rasmussen, Arlyn Pratt, John Law, Cecil Peterson, Keith Wheelock and Leonard Hard. OBITUARY Mervyn E. Graham was born March 20, 1915 at Modale, Iowa. He passed on at 1:45 P.M. on Sunday, August 12, 1934 at Grand View hospital in Ironwood, Mich. after an appendicitis operation followed by complications. His father, Howard D. Graham preceded him in death March 17, 1923. The following year his mother brought him and his two brothers to Tampico where they made their home. Mervyn attended the local grade and high schools, graduating from the latter with the class of 1932. He liked athletics and played with the high school basketball team. At an early age he united with the Baptist Church and became a willing worker in church activities. He sang with the male quartette at the church and worked diligently in the B.Y.P.U. He joined the CCC April 14, 1934 and was sent first to Ft. Sheridan. After three weeks he was transferred to Gogebic Camp at Marenisco, Mich. where he was until just before his death. Mervyn was of sunny disposition, a friend in both young and old, kind and thoughtful of those he loved. He was very capable in many ways. Perhaps his greatest charm lay in his love for music, in his singing happiness. He leaves a wide circle of friends who mourn his early decease. Those who survive him are his mother, Mrs. Joe Young, his brothers, Chester and Darrell Graham and his step father, Mr. Joe Young. Last Edited by Denise on Dec 03, 2015 2:03 PM

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